Retainer means for gaslamp mantles

ABSTRACT

Means for attaching inverted mantles to lighting means such as gaslights. The mantles comprise supporting rings which have fingers for seating engagement with lugs formed on the downwardly extending fuel supply conduit of the light. A separate ring is located in spaced relationship relative to the lugs whereby any tendency of the mantle-supporting ring to move out of position is minimized by the separate ring.

United States Patent [72] Inventors Thomas T. Teeter Nashville; Earl F. Durr, Nashville; Richard 11. Watts, Mount Juliet; Frank E. Outhier, Nashville,

all of, Tenn.

[2!] Appl. No. 845,408

[22] Filed July 28, 1969 [45] Patented June 29, 1971 [73] Assignee Aladdin industries Incorporated Chicago, 111.

[54] RETAINER MEANS FOR GASLAMP MANTLES 5 Claims,9Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.Cl v 431/113 [51] Int.Cl F21v 19/06 [50] Field ofSearch 431/109, 113, I07

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 898,957 9/1908 Barton 431/113 927,725 7/1909 Herskovite 431/113 Primary Examiner-Edward G. Favors Attorney-McDougall, Hersh, Scott & Ladd ABSTRACT: Means for attaching inverted mantles to lighting means such as gaslights. The mantles comprise supporting rings which have fingers for seating engagement with lugs formed on the downwardly extending fuel supply conduit of the light. A separate ring is located in spaced relationship relative to the lugs whereby any tendency of the mantle-supporting ring to move out of position is minimized by the separate ring.

PATENTEUJUNZQIQYI 3 5 9 50 N Vf TOPS Thomas I Tsezer Earl F Durr Richard 17. Wall's Frank E. 0a fhier' RETAINER MEANS FOR GASLAMP MANTLES This invention relates to improvements in means for supporting mantles of the type commonly used in gaslights. The invention is particularly concerned with the attachment of inverted mantles to gaslights whereby the tendency toward disruption of operation or damage to mantles can be significantly reduced.

Gaslights have been used for many years even after the introduction of electric lighting. Gaslights are used in some areas because electricity is not readily available; however, there is also widespread use of gaslights for less functional reasons. Gaslights may be used for aesthetic reasons in both residential and commercial areas alone or in conjunction with electric lighting.

- In the residential use ofgaslights, they are often mounted on lamp poles positioned on the lawn in front of a home. Because of this location, the mounting pole may be repeatedly jarred, for example, by a lawnmower. This has led to disruption in the gaslight operation, usually requiring replacement of a mantle.

The mantle replacement is necessitated because of their well-known fragile nature. When a pole mounting an inverted mantle is jarred, the very light and fragile mantle may be bounced to the extent that it will be dislodged from its position at the end of the fuel supply conduit. If dislodging of the mantle causes it to fall off or otherwise come into contact with an adjacent solid surface, the mantle fabric will disintegrate. If the mantle is merely dislodged to a tilted position, the flame will then concentrate on a specific area of the mantle surface which will eventually result in unrepairable damage.

It is a general object of this invention to provide an improved design for means for attaching inverted mantles to a lighting means whereby destruction or damage can be significantly minimized.

It is a more specific object of this invention to provide improved means for attaching a mantle to a downwardly extending gas supply conduit in a gaslight whereby the mantle cannot be readily dislodged when the supporting means for the gaslight is subjected to impact.

These and other objects of this invention will appear hereinafter and for purposes of illustration, but not of limitation, specific embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view illustrating a mantle of the type adapted to be attached to a fuel supply conduit designed in accordance with the principles of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a elevational view illustrating the mantle in place around the end of the conduit;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged elevational view partly cut away illustrating the fuel supply conduit;

FIG. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken about the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of a modified form of the invention;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of a ring structure comprising an alternative form of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the ring structure taken about the line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of a modified form of the invention; and,

FIG. 9 is a horizontal sectional view taken about the line 9-9 of FIG. 8.

The improvement of the instant'invention relates to modifications of means for attaching an inverted mantle to a downwardly extending fuel delivery conduit. The invention is particularly concerned with the attachment of conventional mantle structures which comprise supporting ring and inwardly extending fingers designed to rest on lugs carried by the fuel delivery conduit. In the usual situation, the supporting ring for the mantle is moved upwardly so that the fingers on the ring are passed through spaces defined between the lugs. The mantle is then rotated until the fingers are positioned above the lugs and the mantle is then allowed to drop downwardly so that the fingers rest on the lugs.

In the use of a structure of the type described, any impact will tend to cause the mantle to bounce. If this bouncing is accompanied by even a small amount of rotary movement, the mantle may fall off. Even if it does not fall off, the mantle may be tilted so that the flame will concentrate on one area of the mantle fabric.

The instant invention overcomes this tendency for an inverted mantle to be dislodged. Specifically, the invention provides for the use of a separate ring which is positioned in spaced relationship relative to the lugs defined by the fuel supply conduit. When this ring is employed, the supporting fingers on the mantle will engage the ring whenever the mantle is bounced upwardly. The fingers will then be returned to .their proper position on the lugs instead of being dislodged. FIGS. 1 through 4 illustrate one form of the instant invention. This ar rangement comprises a fuel supply conduit section 10 defining a threaded upper end 12. In a typical arrangement, this upper end will be joined with a gas pipe so that gas will be fed downwardly to the outlet end 14.

The mantle assembly 16 consists of a mantle l8 and supporting ring 20. The supporting ring includes upwardly extending posts 22, each defining inwardly extending fingers 24. The mantle 18 is in the form of a pouch which may be secured to the supporting ring 20 by means of a drawstring.

The mantle assembly is designed to be attached adjacent the outlet end of the conduit 10. To accomplish this, a plurality of lugs 26 are formed integrally with the conduit. The lugs define pockets 28 for receiving the fingers 24 as shown in FIG. 2. The mantle is seated in the pockets by first moving the fingers upwardly between the spaced-apart lugs and then rotating the mantle until the fingers are in alignment with the pockets.

A retaining ring 30 is formed integrally with the conduit 10 in spaced relationshipwith the lugs 26. A sufficient opening is provided between the lugs and retainer ring to permits proper positioning of the mantle assembly. The retainer ring, however, operates to significantly reduce the possibility of dislodging of the mantle assembly. The advantage of the retainer ring is most noticeable when the assembly is caused to bounce, for example if a lawnmower or other means bumps into the associated lamppost. The bouncing movement is sufficiently restricted by the retainer ring so that there is'little is any tendency for the fingers to bedisplaced from alignment with the pockets 28.

The embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 4 provides an additional retaining feature due to the presence of the walls 32 which extend upwardly from one side of the lugs 26 to the retainer ring 30. By providing this wall, the movement of the fingers is further restricted. It will be appreciated that seating of the mantle assembly is restricted in that the assembly can be rotated in only one direction to provide alignment with the pockets 28. FIG. 5 illustrates a modification of the arrangement of the FIGS. 1 through 4. In this arrangement, the wall 32 is dispensed with. As suggested, the elimination of the wall 32 provides greater freedom when locating the mantle assembly in position; however, the means for preventing dislodging movement are somewhat reduced. It has been found, however, that the arrangement of FIG. 5 is completely adequate under all normal circumstances.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a further modification in means for supporting and retaining a mantle assembly. In this case, the conduit 34 is provided with an enlarged diameter section 36. The upper portion 38 is an unbroken portion and, therefore, a continuous ring is provided. Cutout areas 40 are defined in the lower portion 42 whereby three spaced-apart lugs 44 result. These lugs define pockets 46 which communicate with the cutout portions 40 whereby the mantle fingers can be moved upwardly through the area defined by the cutouts 40 and shifted for alignment with the pockets 46. The rear wall 48 functions in the manner of the wall 32 previously described.

The underside 50 of the ring portion 38 is tapered to effect an additional restraining influence. Specifically, any bouncing movement of the mantle assembly will result in engagement of the mantle fingers with the surface 50. Because of the slant of this surface, the fingers will tend to bounce back toward the wall 48 whereby there is a tendency for the mantle to remain in a properly seated position.

In the embodiments described, the retaining features have been formed integrally with the fuel conduit for the lighting structure. In the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7, a ring structure is provided which is removably associated with the fuel conduit. With this design, the features of the invention can be incorporated into existing gaslamp structures.

The removable ring 52 defines a central opening 54 sub stantially greater in diameter than the outer diameter of the associated fuel conduit 10. Three legs 58 extend downwardly from the ring 52. Each of these legs comprises an enlarged upper section and a narrower lower section with these sections intersecting at 60, this intersection providing a shoulder. In use, the ring 52 is raised into the position illustrated above the lugs 26. The legs 58 then occupy a portion of the space between the lugs; however, there is still sufficient space for bringing the mantle assembly 16 into position and for seating the fingers 24 in the pockets 28 of the lugs 26. When the mantle assembly is thus seated, the shoulders of the legs 58 rest on the inside edge of the supporting ring 20. The ring 52 provides an ideal retaining arrangement since its weight will tend to reduce bounce of the mantle assembly. In addition, the presence of the legs 58 reduces the space available for movement of the mantle assembly, thus minimizing the possibility of dislodging movement.

It will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made in the above described constructions which provide the characteristics of this invention without departing from the spirit thereof particularly as defined in the following claims.

We claim:

1. In an inverted mantle-lighting means which includes a downwardly extending fuel delivery conduit, said conduit defining an outlet end and means adjacent the outlet end for attaching an inverted mantle thereto, said mantle including a supporting ring defining inwardly extending fingers and said attaching means comprising spaced-apart lugs on said conduit adapted to receive said fingers whereby said mantle can be suspended around said outlet end, the improvement comprising a separate ring formed integrally with said conduit and positioned above said lugs, said separate ring extendingover said fingers when the fingers are at rest on said lugs to thereby minimize the possibility of dislodging said fingers, said mantle being mounted on said lugs by moving the fingers of said supporting ring through openings defined between the spacedapart-lugs and by then rotating the fingers through spaces defined between said lugs and the bottom surface of said separate ring into a position over said lugs and then dropping the supporting ring down to rest the fingers on said lugs, said lugs defining pockets for receiving said fingers, the spaces defined between said bottom surface and said lugs being only slightly larger than the thickness of said fingers, and including a wall extending upwardly from one end of said pocket into engagement with said separate ring whereby said fingers can be rotated into position over said lugs from only one side of the lugs.

2. In an inverted mantle lighting means which includes a downwardly extending fuel delivery conduit, said conduit defining an outlet end and means adjacent the outlet end for attaching an invertedmantle thereto, said mantle including a supporting ring defining inwardly extending fingers and said attaching means comprising spaced-apart lugs on said conduit adapted to receive said fingers whereby said mantle can be suspended around said outlet end, the improvement comprising a separate ring positioned above said lugs, said separate ring being loosely held relative to said conduit whereby the ring is movable vertically relative to the conduit, said separate ring extending over said fingers when the fingers are at rest on said lugs, and wherein said separate ring defines portions bearing downwardly on said supporting ring when the fingers are at rest to thereby minimize the possibility of dislodging said finers. g 3. In an inverted mantle-lighting means which includes a downwardly extending fuel delivery conduit, said conduit defining an outlet end and means adjacent the outlet end for attaching an inverted mantle thereto, said mantle including a supporting ring defining inwardly extending fingers and said attaching means comprising spaced-apart lugs on said conduit adapted to receive said fingers whereby said mantle can be suspended around said outlet end, the improvement comprising a separate ring formed integrally with said conduit and positioned above said lugs, said separate ring extending over said fingers when the fingers are at rest on said lugs to thereby minimize the possibility of dislodging said fingers, said mantle being mounted on said lugs by moving the fingers of said supporting ring through openings defined between the spacedapart lugs and by then rotating the fingers to a position'over said lugs and then dropping the supporting ring down to rest the fingers on said lugs, said lugs defining pockets for receiving said fingers, a wall extending upwardly from one end of said pocket into engagement with said separate ring whereby said finers can be rotated into position over said lugs from only one side of the lugs, wherein the underside of the portion of said ring immediately above said pocket is tapered downwardly from the intersection of said underside with said wall, said taper tending to direct said fingers into said pockets in the event of upward movement of the fingers.

4. In an inverted mantle lighting means which includes a downwardly extending fuel delivery conduit, said conduit defining an outlet end and meansadjacent the outlet end for attaching an inverted mantle thereto, said mantle including a supporting ring defining inwardly extending fingers and said attaching means comprising spaced-apart lugs on said conduit adapted to receive said fingers whereby said mantle can be suspended around said outlet end, the improvement comprising a separate ring loosely held relative to said conduit and positioned above said lugs, said separate ring defining a central opening substantially larger than the outer dimensions of said conduit, and including legs extending downwardly from said separate ring adapted to be located in the spaces defined between said lugs, said separate ring extending over said fingers when the fingers are at rest on said lugs to thereby minimize the possibility of dislodging said fingers.

5. A construction in accordance with claim 4 wherein said legs each define a shoulder adapted to engage said supporting ring to thereby hold said separate ring in spaced relationship relative to said lugs. 

1. In an inverted mantle-lighting means which includes a downwardly extending fuel delivery conduit, said conduit defining an outlet end and means adjacent the outlet end for attaching an inverted mantle thereto, said mantle including a supporting ring defining inwardly extending fingers and said attaching means comprising spaced-apart lugs on said conduit adapted to receive said fingers whereby said mantle can be suspended around said outlet end, the improvement comprising a separate ring formed integrally with said conduit and positioned above said lugs, said separate ring extending over said fingers when the fingers are at rest on said lugs to thereby minimize the possibility of dislodging said fingers, said mantle being mounted on said lugs by moving the fingers of said supporting ring through openings defined between the spaced-apart lugs and by then rotating the fingers through spaces defined between said lugs aNd the bottom surface of said separate ring into a position over said lugs and then dropping the supporting ring down to rest the fingers on said lugs, said lugs defining pockets for receiving said fingers, the spaces defined between said bottom surface and said lugs being only slightly larger than the thickness of said fingers, and including a wall extending upwardly from one end of said pocket into engagement with said separate ring whereby said fingers can be rotated into position over said lugs from only one side of the lugs.
 2. In an inverted mantle lighting means which includes a downwardly extending fuel delivery conduit, said conduit defining an outlet end and means adjacent the outlet end for attaching an inverted mantle thereto, said mantle including a supporting ring defining inwardly extending fingers and said attaching means comprising spaced-apart lugs on said conduit adapted to receive said fingers whereby said mantle can be suspended around said outlet end, the improvement comprising a separate ring positioned above said lugs, said separate ring being loosely held relative to said conduit whereby the ring is movable vertically relative to the conduit, said separate ring extending over said fingers when the fingers are at rest on said lugs, and wherein said separate ring defines portions bearing downwardly on said supporting ring when the fingers are at rest to thereby minimize the possibility of dislodging said fingers.
 3. In an inverted mantle-lighting means which includes a downwardly extending fuel delivery conduit, said conduit defining an outlet end and means adjacent the outlet end for attaching an inverted mantle thereto, said mantle including a supporting ring defining inwardly extending fingers and said attaching means comprising spaced-apart lugs on said conduit adapted to receive said fingers whereby said mantle can be suspended around said outlet end, the improvement comprising a separate ring formed integrally with said conduit and positioned above said lugs, said separate ring extending over said fingers when the fingers are at rest on said lugs to thereby minimize the possibility of dislodging said fingers, said mantle being mounted on said lugs by moving the fingers of said supporting ring through openings defined between the spaced-apart lugs and by then rotating the fingers to a position over said lugs and then dropping the supporting ring down to rest the fingers on said lugs, said lugs defining pockets for receiving said fingers, a wall extending upwardly from one end of said pocket into engagement with said separate ring whereby said finers can be rotated into position over said lugs from only one side of the lugs, wherein the underside of the portion of said ring immediately above said pocket is tapered downwardly from the intersection of said underside with said wall, said taper tending to direct said fingers into said pockets in the event of upward movement of the fingers.
 4. In an inverted mantle lighting means which includes a downwardly extending fuel delivery conduit, said conduit defining an outlet end and means adjacent the outlet end for attaching an inverted mantle thereto, said mantle including a supporting ring defining inwardly extending fingers and said attaching means comprising spaced-apart lugs on said conduit adapted to receive said fingers whereby said mantle can be suspended around said outlet end, the improvement comprising a separate ring loosely held relative to said conduit and positioned above said lugs, said separate ring defining a central opening substantially larger than the outer dimensions of said conduit, and including legs extending downwardly from said separate ring adapted to be located in the spaces defined between said lugs, said separate ring extending over said fingers when the fingers are at rest on said lugs to thereby minimize the possibility of dislodging said fingers.
 5. A construction in accordance with claim 4 wherein said legs each define a shoulder adapted to engage said supporting rinG to thereby hold said separate ring in spaced relationship relative to said lugs. 